Knitting machine



Jan. 19, 1943. F. G. WEISBECKER KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 attorneg Jan. 19, 1943.

F. G. WEISB ECKER KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- llllllllll'lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllill'llllllllllllllll Smaentor I 29mm QQXM/ubai'wz v Gttomeg Patented Jan. 19, 1943 KNITTING MACHINE Frank G. Weisbecker, Glenside, Pa., assignor to Hosiery Patents Incorporated, Lansdale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March '7, 1942, Serial No. 433,807

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in knitting machines and more particularly to improvements in the needle bar motion of a straight knitting machine, such as the conventional straight machine for knitting full-fashioned hosiery.

Straight knitting machines usually comprise a relatively large number of knitting sections. Many machines now in use have as many as 28 knitting sections, and some machines have as many as 40 knitting sections. Each of these knitting sections is adapted to knit a separate blank. or part thereof, so that a multi-section machine simulaneously produces as many separateblanks or parts thereof as the machine has knitting sections. The knitting sections of a machine are relatively arranged in what may be termed an end to end relation. These multisection machines present a number of problems, because of their size, their complex mechanism, and the precision required in their operation. Certain of these problems relate to the needle bar motion of the machine. This motion comprises the knitting needles of the machine and the means for operating these needles.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved needle bar motion for straight knitting machines.

Another object is to provide an improved needle bar motion for a multi-section, full-fashioned hosiery, straight knitting machine, whereby the operation of the knitting needles will be substantially smoother and more accurate than the operation provided by conventional needle bar motions.

Still another object is to provide a needle bar motion with improved mechanism for supporting and operating the knitting needles.

A further object is to provide a novel guide for a needle bar of a straight knitting machine and thereby secure more accurate operation of the knitting needles.

Another object is to provide needle operating mechanism which minimizes the possibility of temperature changes materially affecting needle operations.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent and readily understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of part of a straight knitting machine embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1. V

Figure 3 is a detail view of part of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an elevational view on enlarged scale of part of the mechanism shown in'Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an exploded view to illustrate the relationship of certain parts of the mechanism illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4.

In Figure 1, there is illustrated a set of two knitting sections which may be and preferably is duplicated throughout an entire machine. For example, the machine may have twenty-four knitting sections or twelve of the sets of sections illustrated in Figure 1. As these sets are duplicates and it is impractical to illustrate in one figure a complete machinev of, for example, twenty-four sections, it is suiiicient to show and describe onlyone set of knitting sections. This disclosure will enable one to understand'fully the invention when practiced throughout a multisection machine. l

The knitting sections are supported by the machine frame which comprises a plurality of longitudinal and transverse frame members. Figures 1 and 2 show one of the longitudinal frame members at l9, and Figure 1 shows two of the transverse frame members H. The longitudinal frame members may be of conventional form and are rigidly connected to the transverse frame members according to the usual practice. The transverse frame members I l are preferably spaced apart to accommodate a set of two knitting sections between each two adjacent transverse frame members. A twenty-four'sectio'nmachine, for example, would, therefore, have thirteen of the transverse members ll knitting sections. r

Each knitting section of the machine includes a conventional sinker bed" l2 which is rigidly secured to the longitudinal *frame' member It). This sinker bed [2 is clearly illustrated in Figure 5 and is usually of integral or one-piece, cast construction including at each end thereof an integral depending leg-like member I3 (see Figure 5) forming part of a split bearing, which will be described more fully hereinafter. The two split bearings at the opposite ends of each sinker bed [2 support a conventional knockover bit assembly I4 including a series of knockover bits l6 (see Figure 2). r I

Each of the sinker beds i3 is provided with a to support the-twelve sets of I series of sinkers and divider (not shown) which are of conventional construction and operate in known manner. A serie of needles I! (Figure 2) is positioned opposite each sinker bed I2 and operates in known manner in the spaces between the 'sinkers and dividers (not shown) and the spaces between the knockover bits l6.

Needle operating mechanism According to this invention, each series of needles I! is supported in a separate needle bar I8, there being a separate needle bar l8 for each knitting section. Each of the needle bars 13 is pivotally supported on a set of two lifter arms I9.

A separate needle bar shaft 2| is provided for each set of two knitting sections and is preferably of such length that its opposite ends terminate in bearings 22 carried bythe two transverse frame members H (see Figure 1) adjacent the opposite ends of the respective set of knitting sections. Figure 1 shows one complete needle bar shaft 2|, and also the adjacent ends of two needle bar shafts v2| for corresponding sets of knitting sections (not shown). The adjacent ends of two adjacent needle bar shafts 2| may be journalled in the same bearing .22 as illustrated in Figure 1 .and are preferably spaced apart to receive a felt lubricating washer 23 therebetween. Each bearing 22 may havean opening .24 therein to receive a supply of lubricating material for the washer 23.

Each of .the separate needle bar shafts 2.I supports two sets .of lifter arms .I-9 and is, therefore, adapted .to operate two separate needle bars 18. Each lifter arm i3 has an integral collar or sleeve 26 (Figure l) which is adjustably secured to its supporting needle barshaft 2| by means of a set screw 21.. I

Each needle bar shaft 2| derives its motion from cam shaft means comprising a "main cam shaft 28 and cam 25. For this purpose, a cam lever i3] is operatively secured to each needle bar shaft 2| by means of a set screw 32. Each cam lever 3| may have a cam follower or roller .33 for engaging the periphery of the cam '29 and a spring .34 to ,yieldingly maintain the cam roller 33in engagement with the cam 29.

The lifter arms I9 are preferably such that they have an effective length of greater dimension than the effective length of the cam lever 3|. That is, the distance from the pivotal axis of the connection between the needle bar I8 and its lifter arms I9 to the axis of the needle bar shaft 2| is greater than the distance from the axis of the needle bar shaft 2| to the :axis of the cam roller 33. In this wayjit ispossible to provide humps or rises on the cam 29 of substantially less height than the rises on conventional cams. Figure 3 shows in dotted .lines the rises on a conventional cam 36 and also shows a cam .29 in full lines according to this invention and. with substantially smaller rises. By reducing the size of the cam humps or rises, a much smoother and more uniform operation is secured during needle bar movements. V

Springarms 31 (Figures 1 and '2) are provided for engagement with the needle bars 18 as the latter approach the desired limit of movement in thedownward direction. These spring arms 3'! oppose any tendency of the needle bars I8 to exceed their intended limit of travel in their downward motion. The spring arms 31 also assist in providing smoother and more uniform action of the needle bar l8 as it approaches its lower limit of travel and reverses itsdirection O 7 movement. If desired, two spring arms 31 may be provided for each needle bar I8 and supported at one end by the longitudinal frame member ID as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Each spring arm 31 is preferably so positioned that its outer, free end will engage the respective needle bar I8 when the latter has covered about three-quarters of the distance in its normal downward travel.

Any suitable means may be provided for rocking the needle bars I8 about their pivotal connections with their lifter arms H). An arm 38 (see Figure 3) may be rigidly secured to each needle ibar I8 and is adapted to be operated from the cam shaft 28. The knitting operations 'of the needles 11 may be in accordance with wellknown and conventional practice.

As each set oftwo knitting sections has a separate needle bar motion according to this invention, each set operates independently of the others and will not be aifected by varying conditions in any :needle bar motion other than its own.

Needle bar guide Each of the separate needle bars I8 during its operation is maintained in alignment with its respective sinker bed I2 by guide means according to this invention. By maintaining the proper alignment betweeneach needle bar I8 and its sinker bed l2, the proper relation and spacing between the needles I! and the sinkers '(not, shown) dividers (not shown) and knockover bits I6 is obtained at all times during the knitting operations. This result is important, as it avoids breakage of sinkers, dividers, knockover bits and needles due to improper operation of the needles and consequent collision of these fragile machine parts.

It is also a definite advantage to secure the needle bar guide means to the sinker bed I2 as this construction also opposes any tendency of the sinker bed =I2 to move endwise and get out of alignmentwith its respective needle bar I8.

Each of the needle bar guide means may comprise a guide element, set screw or stud 4| threaded into a bracket-like member 42 and secured in adjusted position :by a lock nut 43. The

set screw 4| preferablyhas afhead M. This head 44 has a flat face to act as a stop to endlwise movement of th respective needle bar It toward the corresponding set screw 4| One "of these guide means is preferably arranged at each end of each needle bar 18 with the respective set screw 4| so adjusted that its ,head .44 is slightly spaced from the adjacent endof the .needle bar I8. This spacing, for'example, may be on the order of one to four thousandths of an inch. Each guide means is also preferably such that its set screw head 44 is opposite the adjacent end of the respective needle bar |8 during its entire cycle of operations, that is during its'raising and lowering movements by the lifter arms I 9 and its rocking movements toward and away from the 5. This groove. maybe out in the side of the bearing part 46 opposite to the side facing the sinker bed leg-like .member l3. If desired, the bracket-like member 42 and the bearing part 46 may be made in the form of a single part or cast as one-piece.

Each leg-like member l3, its detachable bearing part 46, and the corresponding bracket-like member 42 are preferably provided with aligned openings for receiving two screws or threaded elements 48 and 49 (as clearly illustrated in Fi ure Each of the screws (48 and 49) extends through the member 42 and the bearing part 46 and is threaded into the corresponding opening in the corresponding leg-like member |3 to secure rigidly these three parts (42, 46 and 3) in assembled relation. The outer ends of the openings in bracket-like member 42 for receiving the screws 48 and 49 are preferably enlarged to re ceive the screw heads as clearly shown in Figure 5.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of this invention, it will be noted that endwise movement of each needle bar 3 in either direction is arrested by a set screw 4| and that the needle bars |8 are somewhat shorter in length than the distance between the leg-like members I3, which carry the above described needle bar guide means. The spacing between the adjacent ends of each two adjacent needle bar shafts 2| is preferably somewhat greater than the spacing between the needle bars l8 and their respective guides or set screws 4|. Endwise movement of the needle bar shafts 2| in their bearings 22 is controlled by the cooperation between the needle bars l8 and their above described guide means.

The foregoing is to be understood as illustrative, as this invention includes all modifications and embodiments coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a multi-section straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a rigid frame of longitudinal and transverse frame members, two of said transverse frame members being relatively spaced to provide for only a set of two knitting sections therebetween, a sinker bed for each of said two knitting sections and secured to said rigid frame, the improvement comprising a needle bar shaft having its opposite ends supported by said two transverse frame members and a cam lever operatively connected to said shaft for actuating the same, needle bar means associated with said sinker beds, lifter arms operatively connecting said shaft and said needle bar means, and guide means rigidly secured to said sinker beds and positioned to arrest endwise movement of the needle bar means and thereby maintain proper alignment between said sinker beds and said needle bar means during knitting operations.

2. In a multi-section straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a rigid frame of longitudinal and transverse members, two of said transverse frame members being relatively spaced to provide for only a set of two knitting sections therebetween, a sinker bed for each of said two knitting sections and secured to said frame, the improvement comprising a needle bar shaft having its opposite ends terminating in said two transverse frame members and journalled therein, a cam lever operatively connected to said shaft for actuating the same, two sets of lifter arms operatively connected to said shaft. a separate needle bar operatively connected to each set of said lifter arms and positioned opposite one of said sinker beds, said needle bars being adapted to be lifted and lowered by said arms during operation of said shaft, means for rocking said needle bars relative to said lifter arms, and means to arrest endwise movement of said needle bars and maintain said needle bars in alignment with said sinker beds, said arresting means being rigidly secured to said sinker beds.

3. In a multi-section straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a rigid frame of longitudinal and transverse members, two of said transverse frame members being relatively spaced to provide for only a set of two knitting sections therebetween, a sinker bed for each of said two knitting sections and secured to said frame, the improvement comprising a needle bar shaft having its opposite ends terminating in said two transverse frame members and journalled therein, a cam lever operatively connected to said shaft for actuating the same, two sets of lifter arms operatively connected to said shaft, a separate needle bar operatively connected to each set of said lifter arms and positioned opposite one of said sinker beds, said needle bars being adapted to be lifted and lowered by said arms during operation of said shaft, means for rocking said needle bars relative to said lifter arms, and separate guide means for each of said needle bars, each guide means being rigidly secured to the sinker bed opposite the needle bar guided thereby and being adapted to maintain the needle bar in alignment with the corresponding sinker head during needle bar movements.

4. In a multi-section straight knitting machine having a rigid frame of longitudinal and transverse frame members, the transverse frame members being relatively spaced to provide, for a set of two knitting sections between eachv set of two transverse members, a cam shaft journalled in said frame, and a sinker bed for each knitting section and rigidly secured to a longitudinal frame member, the improvement comprising: a separate and independent needle bar motion for each set of two knitting sections, each of said motions including a separate needle bar shaft having the opposite ends thereof journalled in the transverse frame members for the corresponding set of two knitting sections, a cam lever operatively connected to said needle bar shaft and actuated by said cam shaft, two sets of lifter arms carried by said needle bar shaft, and a separate needle bar for each knitting section, each needle bar being operatively connected to a set of said lifter arms for movement thereby and relative to its respective sinker bed during actuation of said cam lever; a bracket-like member rigidly secured to each end of each of said sinker beds; and an element adjustably carried by each of said bracket-like members and positioned opposite an end of the corresponding needle bar for guiding said needle bar during said needle bar movement, whereby each needle bar is maintained in proper alignment with its respective sinker bed.

5. In a multi-section straight knitting machine having a rigid frame of longitudinal and transverse frame members, the transverse frame members being relatively spaced to provide for a set of two knitting sections between each set of two transverse members, cam shaft means mounted in said frame, and a sinker bed for each knitting section and secured to said frame, the improvement comprising: a separate and independent needle bar motion for each set of two knitting sections, each of said motions including a separate needle bar shaft having the opposite ends thereof terminating in and supported by e men-- w are,

the transverse frame members for the corresponding set of two knitting sections, a cam lever operatively connected to said needle bar shaft and actuated by said cam shaft means, .a. set of lifter arms for each knitting section and carried by said needle bar shaft, and a separate needle bar for each knitting section and operatively connectedto the corresponding set of lifter arms.

6. In a multi-section straight knitting machine having a. rigid frame of longitudinal and transverse frame members, the transverse frame members being relatively spaced to provide for a set of two knitting sections between each set of two transverse members, cam shaft means mounted in said frame, and a sinker bed for each knitting section and secured to said frame, the improvement comp-rising: a separate and independent needle barmotion for each set of two knitting sections, each of said motions includ ing a separate needle bar shaft having the opposite ends thereof terminating in and supported by the transverse frame members for the corresponding set of twoknitting sections, a cam lever operatively connected to said needle bar shaft 

